Lima, Peru ? Shining Path founder Abimael Guzman, whose messianic communist vision inspired a 12-year rebellion that cost nearly 70,000 lives, was found guilty Friday of aggravated terrorism and sentenced to life in prison.

The 71-year-old former philosophy professor stood impassively with his hands crossed in front of his waist as a court clerk read the sentence, ending a yearlong civilian retrial.

Guzman’s longtime lover and second-in-command Elena Iparraguirre, 59, also received a life sentence. Ten other co-defendants from his inner circle received sentences ranging from 24 to 35 years in prison.

After the sentences were announced, Guzman reached over and kissed Iparraguirre’s hand, then gave her a light embrace. His attorney, Manuel Fajardo, said, “The sentence they have imposed on them constitutes a medal.”

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Guzman was known to his followers as “Presidente Gonzalo,” inspiring a cultlike obedience among a Maoist guerrilla insurgency that grew to 10,000 armed fighters.